Sewing machine



Feb. 15, 1949. I N. WONNACOTT ET AL 2,461,951

SEWING MACHINE Filed July 17, 1945 INVENTORS orman PVormacoZL ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 15, 1949 NITED STA'S SEWING MACHINE Application July' 17, 1945, Serial No. 605,516

3 Claims.

This invention relates to sewing machines of the conventional type wherein there is a substantially rectangular table, and wherein the horizontal overhanging arm carrying the needle bar, presser foot and cooperating mechanisms is supported above the table by a vertical post or trunk through which the needle drive extends, the

machine table setting substantially flush with the bench or work table supporting it.

Heretofore, in these conventional machines, the vertical post or trunk which was located at some distance laterally from the work-feeding and sewing means of the machine so as to provide clearance for work being sewed, was centralized between the front and rear edges of the machine table adjacent the right end thereof, the position of the post base being such that its front edge was substantially ahead of a lateral line passing through the point of sewing. This arrangement, which has been-in widespread public use over a considerable period of years, appeared to be generally satisfactory for existing, established work goals, that is, where an operator was not required to sew for protracted periods of time at a particularly accelerated rate, and also if the work was not especially large, or of stiff or heavy material.

However, when higher production goals were found to be necessary, so that an operator was required to sew at a steady, fast pace for a protracted period of time, the goals could not always be met, and considerable fatigue was experienced in the operators right arm and hand. This has been due in large measure to the operator having to repeatedly carry out a time-consuming and somewhat inconvenient movement, in bringing new work to the point of sewing along a circuitous path from the supply pile resting on the bench to the right of the machine frame. This circuitous path extended from the supply pile forwardly past the vertical post of the machine frame, and then angularly rearwardly to the point of sewing, the angular forward and rearward direction of the path being due to the forward location of the front of the post, the latter being situated substantially midway between the front and rear edges of the machine table or bed. When it is considered that this movement is repeated by an operator many times during the accomplishment of a specific production goal, even a small saving in the timing of the movement represents a significant total time. saving, aside from the elimination of the fatigue, which of itself cuts down considerably a workers production.

An object of the present invention isto obviate the above difficulties and disadvantages of this prior type of frame construction without resorting to such changes as would create other significant disadvantages, or considerably complicate and make more expensive the machine structures. This is accomplished by a novel organization comprising a rectangular machine bed or table of usual size and shape, which may be readily set in a bench top so as to fit flush with the same, an overhanging arm, and a post or trunk supporting the arm over the table, in its conventional position, the lower portion of the post being located substantially in back of a line extending longitudinallyalong the-machine table and through the point of sewing, the post, however, not extending or jutting out beyond the rectangular outline of the table. Preferably the post or trunk extends upwardly from the bed or table at a forward angle, so that it directly joins the end Of the overhanging arm without the use of an unsightly or costly offset junction.

By thus positioning the post of the frame rearwardly on the machine table there is obviated the necessity for the right hand and forearm or an operator, in taking work from a pile on the righthand side of the machine, to follow a circuitous path in front of the machine post. Instead, the work may now be passed from the supply pile to the point of sewing in substantially a direct line, simplifying, considerably the movements required of the operator, reducing the time required for said movements and eliminating to a great extent the particular fatigue heretofore experienced during protracted periods of sewing.

Due to the retention of the overhanging arm in its conventional, transversely extended position, normal to the direction of feed of the work being sewed, the operator may continue to use the arm as a line of reference for guiding and feeding the work, the guiding being done along an envisioned path at right angles to the arm. Moreover, the handwheel of the machine may still be located in its usual, conventional position, as well as the sewing head carrying the needle and presser bars, so that the habituation to which an operator has become accustomed is'not upset or disturbed. Insofar as the machine operator is concerned, the practicing of the present invention would not change any of the locations of the working parts of the machine as a result of the rearward location of the post base, yet this new location effects a removal of an obstacle which heretofore has caused the operator many unnecessary and tiring movements, wasteful of time as well as energy.

While the front surface of the post of the frame is shown herein as extending forwardly at a slight angle, beginning at a, point near the machine table, this point at which the inclination begins may be located higher or further from the table surface, and/or the front surface of the post may have other contours than that shown. and still enable a satisfactory, direct path to be followed in bringing the work, while supported by the table, over to the needle.

In addition, further advantages are provided by the present invention. Heretofore, where heavy materials such as canvas, duck, etc., were to be sewed in sections of fairly substantial size, difliculty was had in properly feeding and sewin the workpieces. However, by shifting or relocating the base of the post or trunk rearwardly even a moderate amount with respect to the point of sewing there has resulted a considerable improvement in'the feeding and sewing of the same.

When heavy and bulky workpieces are being sewn, the tendency for interference with the opplify the movements required of an operator and facilitate feeding of the work, yet the disposition of the trunk is not suchas to require a complicated or costly driving mechanism extending through the trunk and overhanging arm. Thus, there is retained simplicity of the structures involved, while at the same time improvement is effected in the sewing, and this is a feature of the invention.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top or plan view of a sewing machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine, and

Fig. 3 is a left-end elevation of the machine.

As shown, the sewing machine embodying the present invention comprises a frame having a base or bed plate 10, a horizontal overhanging arm H and an upstanding post or trunk l2 mounted on the base and supporting the arm.

The base ID is substantially rectangular 'in shape, so that it may be easily recessed in the table 13 of a work bench, to fit flush therewith as shown in Fig. 2.

At the left-hand end of the arm I l a head it is provided, having the usual reciprocating needle l5, and having presser means l6 which cooperate with feed dogs 11 of the base for feeding work past the needle, rearward of the frame. The direction of the feed of the work is indicated by the line I 8-I8 shown in Fig. 1, this direction being substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the base ID.

The overhanging arm II, which may be of tubular structure, occupies the conventional position of such arms, it being substantially parallel to the base I and extending in a longitudinal direction with reference to said base, that is, laterally of and normal to the direction of feed of the work as indicated by the line I8I 8.

For convenience of description, a vertical plane I9--l9 is shown, passing through the axis of the needle bar 20, the handwheel 2|, and the axis of the arm I l and extending perpendicular to the direction of feed. The plane l9-l9 also includes the point of sewing of themachine, since the needle l5 lies in said plane.

Heretofore it was common practice to extend the trunk of the machine frame vertically upward from the base or bed plate, the axis of the trunk lying substantially laterally of the point of sewing, so that the front edge of the trunk was located ahead of the point of sewing. This has caused inconvenience to the machine operator, and slowed down his productivity, since, in feeding new work to the needle from a pile located on the bench to the right of the post or trunk, the operator had to bring the work forwardly past the trunk, along an indirect path. This caused a loss of time, and also added to the operators fatigue.

According to the present invention, however, the trunk I2 of the frame is formed and located in a novel manner, so as to eliminate obstruction, and to enable the operator to feed the work in a more direct path, while at the same time the mechanism and structure of the machine are not adversely affected. In accomplishing this the base portion In of the trunk is placed generally to the rear of the line I9-I9 defining the point of sewing. As shown in Fig. 1, the front edge lZb of the trunk base l2a may therefore lie substantially in the line l9l 9, and not ahead of the latter to any material extent. As a result, a wide unobstructed lateral expanse is provided ahead of the point of sewing, andwork may be brought from a pile on the bench l3 at the right of the trunk l2 past the trunk to the needle without obstruction, substantially in a direct line. By thus locating the post I2 according to this invention, the time of the movements required to sew a given quantity of work is notably reduced, as is also the right-arm fatigue of the operator. The elimination of this fatigue also results in increased production.

Preferably the trunk I2 is made to extend forward at an angle with respect to the base II], as shown in Fig. 3, so as to directly join to the overhanging arm ll without an offset. By so doing, the space within the trunk l2 and arm ll, cominunicating at the juncture of these two, is of simple shape as defined by the walls of the trunk and arm, and will accommodate a simple drive for the needle 15.

As shown in Fig. 1, the lower portion l2a of the trunk l2 may have a substantially square section, and may be located at the right rear corner of the base H] but not so as to extend or project beyond the rectangular outline of the base. Thus, the trunk 12 where it joins the base I0 is substantially entirely behind the line l9| 9 defining the point of sewing, yet the contour of the base is not affected, and the latter may be easily recessed into the bench table l3.

To provide pleasing lines, the rear surface 120 of the trunk l2 may have a convex curvature, and the front surface 12d may be made substantially flat, as indicated.

According to this invention a considerable improvement is effected in sewing work which may be large or bulky, especially if this Work be of stiff or heavy material, since the rearward relocation of the trunk 12 enables such work to be more easily fed and guided. To obtain the benefit of more accurate sewing of large heavy material,

trunk lies substantially along the line Ill-l9, or at least not greatly in front of the latter. Also, it is sufiicient to have only the lower portion |2a of the trunk set back to this extent, and the rest of the trunk may extend progressively nearer to the front of the machine as the top is approached.

In effect, the locating of the lower portion i2a of the trunk to the rear of the line l9i9 provides more lateral clearance for work ahead of the said line at the expense of lateral clearance to the rear of the line. However, a different condition exists at the rear of the line l9l9, since here the work is already sewn together and its displacement does not affect the joining of the pieces to as great an extent as does displacement ahead of the line. This latter displacement often results in deviations in the extent of overlapping of the pieces at the seam where they are being sewn together, or if a felling or other attachment is used ahead of the point of sewing, interference with or displacement of the work may cause the attachment 'to become inoperative, or otherwise prevent its proper functioning.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

We claim:

1. A sewing machine frame for carrying sewing and feeding means, comprising a rectangular base for supporting work being sewn; a post projecting upwardly from the base within the outline of the latter; and an overhanging arm carried by the upper portion of the post with the longitudinal axis of the arm parallel to the base and lying in a vertical plane perpendicular to the line of feed and passing through the point of sewing and extending longitudinally of the base, said post extending upwardly and forwardly and having substantially all of the lower portion adjacent the base located behind said plane thereby eliminating the post as an obstacle ahead of the point of sewing for bringing in new work.

2. A sewing machine frame for carrying sewing and feeding means, comprising an elongate base for supporting work to be sewn and having feeding means; an overhanging arm having a needle bar at one end and a handwheel at the other, the axis of the needle bar and handwheel lying in a vertical plane perpendicular to the line of feed of the work and passing longitudinally of the base; and a post projecting upwardly from the base within the outline of the latter, said post extending forward and supporting the overhanging arm at its upper end, the post having the front edge of its lower portion adjacent the base located substantially along said plane thereby eliminating the post as an obstacle ahead of the point of sewing for bringing in new work.

3. A sewing machine frame for carrying sewing and feeding means comprising an elongate base for supporting work being sewn; a post projecting forwardly and upwardly from the base within the outline of the base; and an overhanging arm carried by the upper end of the post and having its longitudinal axis parallel to the base and lying in a vertical plane perpendicular to the line of feed and passing through the point of sewing and extending longitudinally of the base, said post having substantially all of the lower portion adjacent the base located behind said plane thereby eliminating the post as an obstacle ahead of the point of sewing to avoid interference with the feed of the work to the point of sewing, with the arm acting as a transverse guide for the operator during the sewing operation.

NORMAN WONNACOTT. CLARENCE R. BACKLIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 10,880 Avery May 9, 1854 285,536 Wheat Sept. 25, 1883 839,077 Onderdonk Dec. 18, 1906 1,704,009 Lehmann Mar. 5, 1929 2,048,555 Lindstrom July 21, 1936 2,242,962 Waterman May 20, 1941 2,256,792 Seaman Sept. 23, 1941 2,318,836 Clayton May 11, 1943 

